East Orange police arrest 30 as part of investigation combating gang violence

EAST ORANGE — East Orange police announced the arrests of 30 people during Operation Strike Back, a three-month investigation to combat a rise in gang violence in the South Orange Avenue area bordering Newark.

Twenty of those arrested are Bloods gang members, and 73 percent of them have violent criminal histories, said East Orange police Sgt. Andrew Di Elmo. During the operation, which began in March, undercover detectives bought drugs from 28 suspects in five locations, resulting in more than 200 pending criminal charges, he said.

With help from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and Newark police, East Orange police served five search warrants in East Orange and Newark, confiscating drugs, cash, two handguns and ammunition, Di Elmo said.

David Gard/For The Star-LedgerEast Orange Police monitor the cameras after unveiling new crime-fighting technology in this file photo.